US aims to de-escalate Middle East tensions amid fears of Iranian retaliation

The United States is working to "lower the temperature" in the Middle East as tensions rise over potential Iranian retaliation against Israel.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, emphasized the need to prevent and defend against any future attacks while avoiding broader regional conflict, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This effort comes in response to fears that Iran might strike Israel following the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, a killing Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for.

President Joe Biden has suggested that reaching a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could help deter Iranian aggression. New ceasefire talks are scheduled for Thursday in either Doha or Cairo, but Hamas has reportedly refused to participate. In the meantime, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed his Middle East visit to focus on negotiations for a ceasefire.

The US has also approved $20 billion in arms sales to Israel, including 50 F-15 fighter jets and various munitions, with deliveries set to start in 2029. At a UN Security Council meeting, Thomas-Greenfield urged for a ceasefire deal, stressing that avoiding a broader regional conflict is crucial.

Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour criticized the Security Council for its lack of action against Israel's military operations in Gaza, while Israeli ambassador Gilad Erdan defended his country’s military actions and criticized the Council’s failure to condemn Iran.

The conflict has caused significant casualties on both sides, with over 39,920 deaths reported in Gaza since Israel's military campaign began on October 7. The US has heightened its military presence in the region, preparing for potential significant attacks by Iran or its proxies.